I Will be the One
Post Future arc. Seven snapshots as Tsuna’s Family swear their loyalty to him.
“You need to kiss Tsuna’s ring."
"What?!"
Arc: Katekyou Hitman Reborn
Arcs in Katekyou Hitman Reborn: Standalone | Autumn's Roaming Breeze | Breaking of the Day | Choice | Firebrand | Generations | Saving Nickels, Saving Dimes
Rain on the Mountain
TYL Hibari and Yamamoto in a tranquil moment.
Feet move softly over the mats of his private rooms, and he listens to them come, leaning in the open screens and looking out onto his small, private garden.
Nine Years, Eleven Months, Twenty-seven Days
On the anniversary of something that doesn’t happen, Tsuna’s Guardians gather around him.
Yamamoto was the first one who came, tapping brisk but quiet on the door and slipping inside, shadows falling across his face.
Seven Pleats
Hibari likes watching Yamamoto. Yamamoto rather likes to be watched.
Kyouya sat, composed, at the side of a large, airy room, tea cradled between his hands, and watched the Rain.
The Beauty of Obligation
Filling in missing scenes of Hibari’s training with Dino, and how it might have convinced him to Tsuna’s side.
And just who did Cavallone think he was, to judge Kyouya’s skill? He wouldn’t even fight properly, all avoidance and evasion.
Still. The fact that he could evade and avoid spoke its own language, and a far more convincing one than the flowery nonsense about frogs and wells. As long as Cavallone showed up, Kyouya would fight him.
Now if he could just make the man fight seriously.
Breaking of the Day
Tsuna gets taken off to Italy to get better acquainted with the Vongola. While he’s there, he has to come to some kind of terms with Xanxus. Kind of, sort of, mental Tsuna/Xanxus.
"I can’t believe you told Kaa-san this was overseas study," Tsuna grumbled as he was frog-marched to his doom.
Well, all right, not really frog-marched, his dad had his hands in his pockets and Reborn wasn’t tall enough, but the effect was the same.
"It is overseas," his dad said, cheerily. "And it’s definitely higher education."
Breaking of the Day – Omake
Because I really couldn’t resist. Toward the end of Tsuna’s investiture as the Tenth Boss, Xanxus puts in an appearance.
Xanxus stopped in the middle of the room, feet spread, and glared at him. "I hate your fucking guts," he declared.
Tsuna considered this blunt, frontal statement of the obvious for a moment and relaxed. "I know," he agreed, quietly.
A Question for Dusk
Takes place just before Breaking of the Day: Omake. As Tsuna prepares to inherit the family, he comes to Xanxus with a condition.
"Do you plan on staying with the Vongola family?"
The hot eyes narrowed on him. "The hell are you saying?"
Sakura Growing Upside Down
Hibari seeks out a rematch with Mukuro. Mukuro has his own agenda for this.
Two days after the battles for the Vongola rings were over, Kyouya cornered Sawada and asked who that Chrome girl was, and why she carried what looked remarkably like Mukuro’s staff.
And then he went hunting Dino Cavallone.
Where On Your Palm is My Little Line
Gokudera has a thing for Tsuna’s Dying Will Flame.
Watching Tsuna fight was thrilling, but it was nothing to the shiver that went down Hayato’s spine standing in the middle of Tsuna’s office on a quiet afternoon and watching gentle, smiling eyes turn deep and serene under the flare of the Dying Will Flame.
Lighter Than a Feather
This came out of me wondering how Hibari could have been convinced to identify himself with the mafia. Dino finally figures out a way to get through to him.
"He really would do well among us. It’s too bad he doesn’t know anything about our history, I think he’d actually approve."
Untamable
Dino helps Hibari figure a few things out. It doesn’t take Hibari long at all.
Dino knew Kyouya didn’t believe in socializing, but honestly. He was going to get more than "well enough" out of Kyouya if it killed him. Which was still a possibility, if less so these days, but Dino felt he owed the risk to both his little brother and his not-exactly-student.
Moments of Mind and Self
Yamamoto reflects on the meaning of being a born killer.
Yamamoto Takeshi had never killed.
Sex Sells
What if the box weapon maker wanted more funds? What sells better than weapons? Box sex toys!
"You didn’t actually ask what they did?"
"Oh, come on, Koenig always names the boxes bizarre things."
"Yes, but… ‘Purple Ecstasy’?"
Off-label Use
Dino is reading up on Japanese history and culture, and finds just the thing to provoke Hibari with.
Note: This will be funniest if you’ve read any of the Edo period reams of love-advice for samurai, though it should make sense even if you haven’t. If you haven’t I quite recommend them, they’re very entertaining.
Dino sat cross-legged on Kyouya’s couch, reading down a page in his book and ticking things off with a highlighter.
Five years whole-hearted devotion, check. Kyouya certainly didn’t leave much room for anything else, at least if a person wanted to live on with all his bones intact.
The Nature of You
As Tsuna grows into his position, his conflicts with Xanxus escalate again and finally break.
Tsuna sat at an oval table with the advisors and lieutenants so newly inherited and tried to feel leader-like. It still wasn’t easy.
What’s Love Got to Do With It
The Ninth helps Xanxus find someone he can bear to be.
It wasn’t that Tsuna didn’t trust the Ninth, because of course he did. And it wasn’t that he didn’t think the Ninth could handle Xanxus, even, or especially, now, because he did, really. It was just… well, his dad had made him solemnly swear he’d make sure the Ninth didn’t overstrain himself.
And that was really the only reason Tsuna kept just happening to pass Xanxus’ rooms or the balcony beyond them to check on them every couple days.
I Said, You Said
Xanxus finally hears what Tsuna means when he says Xanxus is one of his Family.
Gokudera leaned an elbow on the back of Tsuna’s chair and chuckled softly. "You sure have a way with people like that, boss."
It’s All a Metaphor
Remixed ending, a kind of AU to the rest of the arc. This is another way Tsuna and Xanxus might have come to their final understanding—a somewhat more dramatic one.
"Your Flame is strong enough." Xanxus took Tsuna’s wrist and pulled his hand up, placing it flat against his chest. "Show me, again."
Tsuna swallowed, trying to get his voice back from wherever shock had taken it. "Xanxus. I don’t know if…"
Xanxus eyes were burning, locked with Tsuna’s, and his words vibrated through his chest under Tsuna’s palm. "Show me."
But For the Love of You
Tsuna accepts what Gokudera offers, so that he can give what he can.
Tsuna had thought, ever since he started to think about it at all, that the reason Gokudera seemed harsh to most people was that the brash manner he wrapped around himself clashed so with the fine elegance of his mind and presence. In the rare moments he let himself quiet, Gokudera seemed quite gentle to Tsuna, voice lowered into smoothness, the lines that usually caged his eyes tight relaxing into something like serenity.
The Family You Choose
It is time for Timoteo to choose his Guardians, and he’s determined to do things his way. This project owes its inspiration to jetsam/thephoenixboy, who correctly guessed which fic was mine in the first round of khr_undercover, and requested a fic featuring Timoteo and his Guardians as her reward. I don’t believe she quite expected her request to spawn an entire humongous arc, but what can I say? It was a provocative prompt! *grin*
For a character guide, see the appendix (warning: spoilers for the arc!)
“Is it already time to be thinking of that?” Timoteo asked, to make time for his mind to race ahead and turn over the possibilities. “You’re still very young, Mother.”
“How kind of you to say,” she said, eyes glinting, not without humor. “I said that we were ready to confirm you as my heir, not that I was ready to step down. Don’t get too far above yourself.”
Two Hands Make A Pair
In which the Vongola Ninth’s Mist and Rain reach an agreement, and establish a pattern that will carry them forward. This is set about ten years before “Blood Will Tell.” Timoteo has been the Ninth for a little under a decade at this point. This is a sidestory for the arc, focusing pretty much entirely on two of the original characters, and is not necessary to the main thrust of A House Divided—but it may make some character motivations make more sense later.
Gianni may have been the Vongola Ninth’s right hand, and his Mist Guardian besides, but he wasn’t too proud to admit it when he was tired. And tonight, he was tired.
An Offer You Can’t Refuse
There comes a time in every young man’s life when he must seek his fortune. Sawada Iemitsu is off to seek his.
Sawada Iemitsu couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t known that he was—or could have been, if he’d wanted to be—the heir to a great mafia empire.
Blood Will Tell
Sometimes one small mistake can lead to an entire avalanche of nasty consequences.
One of the first things Sawada Iemitsu did in his apprenticeship to the Vongola Ninth’s outside advisor was bring the Ninth news of the woman who claimed that her son belonged to Timoteo Vongola. It was an act that Iemitsu reflected on later, grimly, deciding that it was the event that colored his entire service to the Vongola.
War of Aggression
Squalo meets Xanxus and Xanxus meets the Varia, and everything follows from that. Beginning overlaps the end of “Blood Will Tell“.
The sword was everything to Squalo—the purity of a single goal and the cleanness of perfection. In a world that hid so much, despite the stark edges of every word and action, the sword was one thing that made perfect sense. It made him a little crazy that no one else seemed to understand that.
Really crazy.
Give One Heart
Hibari thinks it’s about time someone told Kyouko and Haru a few things.
He remembered the point in his past, his old past he supposed he should say, when Kyouko had finally coaxed the truth out of her brother and Sawada; it had been the first time he’d thought the girl might have teeth after all. He remembered the impressive black eye and the hangdog expression that Sasagawa and Sawada had sported, respectively, afterwards; the bruise had faded sooner. He remembered the fierceness in Sawada’s eyes when he’d demanded Kyouya’s word that he would protect the younger Kyouko and Haru, when they came forward; only after that word was given had he, reluctantly, agreed to the whole plan.
Of course, in Kyouya’s opinion, the best way to protect someone was to sharpen their teeth.
Saints of Palermo
The Giglio Nero boss talks to Kyouko and Haru about the other side of the mafia.
"I did mention that those girls were transparent?" She nibbled on the end of her pen. Coffee, yes, that would be… unthreatening. "If we’re to be allies, I’m not letting Vongola stand around with a weakness like that hanging out where anyone can aim at it. And those boys probably won’t even see it until far too late."
She Danced Across the Mountain
As Kyouko and Haru settle into their lives with the mafia, sometimes they need advice.
"…and never, ever accept red flowers. All right, I think I got all that." Kyouko sat back, one hand rubbing her forehead.
Unità’s lips quirked in sympathy. "You’re doing very well, for someone who’s never even traveled abroad before."
Kyouko’s soft smile was more wry than usual. "And here I thought that, once I was done with the university entrance exams, I wouldn’t be studying any more."
A Scratched Record
Kyouko and Haru meet Uni as she’s introduced to Tsuna, and get a shock.
Abruptly Haru’s mouth snapped shut and her eyes narrowed. "Your necklace," she murmured, as if casually. "Is it your rememberance of your mother?"
The quirk to Uni’s mouth turned a bit sour. "Exactly."
Kyouko looked down at the pendant, puzzled. She’d seen it once or twice before, though Unità usually wore it under her clothes. It was an odd shape, she remembered…
And then her heart nearly stopped as she really looked at it for the first time.
Management Techniques
Hibari makes Romario very, very nervous, for a multitude of reasons. This is a Generations sidestory, taking place between “A House Divided” and “They Also Serve.”
Romario was quite sure that Hibari Kyouya was a perfectly good Cloud Guardian for young master Sawada. All the same, he was starting to wish that the boy would simply drop off a cliff and disappear—not permanently, just for a few months, perhaps, or however long it would take for Romario to get his master’s attention firmly settled on some nice young mafia lady who would be happy to make lots of little Cavallones while the boss went gallivanting around with the Vongola’s Cloud Guardian.
May Flowers
Tsuna gives his people whatever they need, and Yamamoto is no exception.
It was easier, he thought, to give Gokudera what he needed. Gokudera was far more straightforward. When Yamamoto came to him, Tsuna had to look harder and make guesses.
Sometimes Yamamoto just sat quietly at his feet for an evening. Sometimes he wanted to hold Tsuna, to shelter and shield him, and Tsuna rested against his chest until his arms relaxed and loosened. Sometimes he wanted to touch, slow and gentle, and kissed Tsuna’s fingers softly until he said yes.
And sometimes he needed to not be the protector, for a while.
They Also Serve
Kyouko and Haru deal with Family (and family) politics. This fic was originally written for the first round of khr_undercover and has been revised from the originally-posted version, mostly for the sake of development and expanding a few things.
The first day of her official duty as Sawada Kyouko’s personal bodyguard was nothing like I-Pin had imagined it would be.
Gray Willow Catkins
Yamamoto decides Gokudera is broken and needs to be fixed. It takes a while to find the right opening.
Gokudera’s constant growling had always kind of amused him, and he admitted that every now and then he sort of poked Gokudera just to get him going. Like playing with a cat; a few scratches were fair trade for getting to watch it flail at you. Actually, Gokudera reminded him a lot of a cat, sometimes, a feral cat that would only let one person pet him without biting, and that person was Tsuna. Even when they’d just met it had made Takeshi wonder a little how often Gokudera must have gotten kicked, to be that way, and now he was wondering more seriously.
Vigor
Dino is only trying to help. Really. An omake to “They Also Serve“.
In which Tsuna wishes that people would stop trying to do him favors.
Body Language
Gokudera’s trust issues are Yamamoto’s new hobby; he has his work cut out for him.
"Delivery!" Takeshi called, cheerfully, banging on Gokudera’s door. It took a few minutes for Gokudera to answer the door, and another for him to finish staring in disbelief.
"What are you doing?"
"Bringing you dinner." Takeshi dangled the bag of carryout from raised fingers.
Comfort Food
Gokudera is sick and being stubborn, and Yamamoto decides to step in.
Warning: May cause tooth decay. To prevent cavities, brush thoroughly after every reading.
"’mb fide," Gokudera muttered around his wad of handkerchief. It hadn’t moved far all day, but when it had his nose had looked absolutely raw. "Not goig to slack off by job ’cause of a code."
Takeshi sighed and made a note to himself that Gokudera got more stubborn and foul-tempered when he was sick. He wouldn’t have thought it was possible if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes.
Some Sweet Day
After a hard workout, some privacy finally leads Gokudera and Yamamoto to a significant intimacy. Takes place some time between Comfort Food and Going Back Someday.
Gokudera hissed when he tried to reach his back with the sponge and Takeshi looked up from rinsing his hair and shook his head at the black and blue starting across Gokudera’s ribs and shoulders. "You’re going to have a lot of bruises."
"Yeah, I got that part," Gokudera grumbled, twisting gingerly on the bath stool.
Going Back Someday
Yamamoto comes to visit Gokudera and they navigate around their trust and need for each other—indirectly as always.
"Takeshi?" He blinked, hands full of his front door and his math textbook, neither free to adjust his reading glasses the way he felt a momentary need to.
"Hey." Takeshi leaned in the doorway, grinning. "Thought it was about time I stopped in for a visit."
After over a month away. Hayato sniffed, but stood aside for him. "I suppose you might as well come in, yes."
Working Till the Sun Don’t Shine
Gokudera has a stressful day and wants Yamamoto to help him unwind, which Yamamoto is perfectly happy to do.
Hayato closed the door to his office carefully, breathing deep and slow.
"That didn’t go very well," Takeshi observed from where he stood looking out the window.
"No. It didn’t," Hayato said, with what he thought was a commendable lack of screaming rage, under the circumstances. He hung his jacket on a chair and undid his tie with short, precise movements, eyes narrowed at empty air.
It’s the Motion
Gokudera thinks it’s unfair how good Yamamoto looks on a motorcycle; Yamamoto thinks it’s the perfect opportunity. Written for DW’s inaugural comment porn meme with the prompt: Yamamoto/Gokudera, motorcycles as aphrodisiacs.
It was easier, Hayato decided, when Yamamoto was actually driving the motorcycle. And it was easier because Yamamoto was an idiot, and liked to do silly, flashy moves, and it was easy to roll his eyes at someone popping a wheelie and laughing like a kid.
The hard part was when Yamamoto was holding still on the damn thing. And the hardest part was keeping his eyes away from long, long legs spread casually over a sleek machine and not, not, looking at the way worn denim pulled taut over Yamamoto’s thighs.
Reversal
Hibari looks at the world differently than most people. Written for the drabble exchange prompt: Hibari, Possessive.
"I have to say, you’re not the one I’d expected to be the most protective of the Vongola’s reputation." Dino folded his arms and leaned against the wall, one foot braced, and considered. "Actually, I guess you and Gokudera are probably tied. But I didn’t expect that, either." He kept coming back because Kyouya kept surprising him.
Firebrand
Mukuro likes strong things, and pawns who are loyal to him.
He leaves a message behind for whatever Estraneo survivors there might be. It’s written in smoke and blood, and it says, quite simply, Don’t do this again.
But One Thought Between Them
Companion story for Lys ap Adin’s "Firebrand". Xanxus fights Mukuro’s possession, but not for quite the reason one might assume.
Xanxus wanted what Mukuro wanted. He gloried in the destruction. But he still fought possession every time, spirit clawing viciously against being pushed aside.
Eventually Mukuro asked why.
Any Tool, When Held Correctly, Is a Weapon
Sometimes Mukuro finds it necessary to tend to Xanxus.
After the last of the Arcobaleno fell, things began falling into place rapidly. Or began falling to pieces, to be more precise, which was much more to Mukuro’s taste.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Nothing that the Vongola Family does is ever actually simple. Nothing. For cliche_bingo, prompt: “Pregnancy.”
The one thing—some days, the only thing—everyone could agree to was that Shamal wasn’t the sort of person a pregnant woman should ever have to deal with.
The Queen and All Her Men
A series of linked shorts that follows Lys ap Adin’s "What to Expect When You’re Expecting". Kyouko and Tsuna’s first child is a daughter. She’s soon followed by a lot of brothers, and the mafia world may be in for a big surprise—provided the Vongola themselves survive the experience.
Kyouko still thought Sicilians had strange ideas about their ceremonies, but at least she could understand this part of the christening perfectly well—the part where Vongola and their allies, and a few who weren’t either, gathered to chat and politic on the lawn, all come to see her firstborn.
Exigencies of Service
Takes place some time early in "The Queen and All Her Men". Tsuna has to be convinced that his children need to learn early how to fight. Fortunately, Kyouko is more pragmatic.
"Stop acting like an herbivore, Sawada."
Festivity
A person can learn all sorts of useful, interesting things by eavesdropping. Takes place early on in The Queen and All Her Men.
Kyouya supposed that it was all well and good that Sawada’s cub had survived another year. Given the general atmosphere in which she’d done it, he even supposed that he could understand commemorating the accomplishment. What no one had been able to explain (to his satisfaction, at any rate) was why doing so involved filling the south garden with every squalling mafioso brat from one to ten years old, and why he was required to attend.
Relative Values
Takes place somewhere towards the middle of The Queen and All Her Men. Tsuna and Kyouko have a favor to ask.
Rokudou Mukuro came and went as freely as a Cloud—rather more freely than perhaps anyone other than Tsuna and Kyouko was really comfortable with, all things considered.
The Overarching Sky
Mari chooses her Guardians, which runs into occasional trouble with both family and Family foibles.
"You wanted to see me, Father?" Mari closed the door of the study behind her, noted her father’s expression, both affectionate and harried, and looked around for a baby in a suit. Sure enough, Reborn was in one of the armchairs with a tiny cup of coffee. "Reborn, welcome back."